Late last year, to protect hospitality workers from sexual
harassment and assault, the Chicago City Council passed what is
known as the "Hands Off Pants On" ordinance. This
legislation requires all Chicago hotels to:
- provide a "panic button" for employees working
alone;
- adopt an effective anti-sexual harassment policy; and
- face real "teeth" such as fines and other penalties
for repeat offenses or for retaliating against workers who raise
complaints.
While the law's details are interesting, what it represents
more broadly offers a lesson for all employers.
First, the ordinance appears unique in requiring a specific
action to protect vulnerable workers: employers must provide
all employees who work alone in guest rooms or restrooms a
"panic button" (or other portable emergency contact
device) that alerts and summons hotel security or management to
their location in response to a crime, sexual harassment or
assault, or other emergency. While existing
